a BIG BIG bus

After 2 years a history project I have been working on has finally come to an end. It has been great and I have enjoyed every minute of it and met some lovely people. I've become the co-author of a book and written and helped to design an exhibition that will be on until July 3rd, then loaned out around Tameside and to Manchester Central Library. We've had lots of media coverage including a piece on the local news. Have a look on at the Fresh Hope Fresh Air project website and watch the film to find out more about our subject matter. I'll post a few pictures from the exhibition launch on 11th June (click on them to enlarge and you can read some of the text) and of the 1960s Manchester bus that came to the launch from the Greater Manchester Transport Museum. The last 2 pictures show Gordon behind the driving wheel. Click to enlarge.

Beefed up

Here's the latest edition to our security arsenal. The van has been for a service this week and also had an oil leak fixed and a new fanbelt. Now we are all set for Cornwall :-)

Marton Mere / Windermere June 5th 2008

The sun was shining and we were off to spend a night near Blackpool followed by 2 more at Bowness on Windermere. Our first stop was the glamorous location of Haven Marton Mere holiday park (!). Only £8 for the night and not a bad spot. Nice pitch and pleasant walk round the Mere that took just under an hour. We didn't even bother to go into Blackpool, just had some tea then went to the clubhouse. My god the kids entertainment went on for hours and hours. After a few drinks it became mildly amusing. Here's Gordon coming back with the happy juice.

At about 11.30am on Friday we set off for The Lakes, it only took just over an hour to get to Fallbarrow next to the Lake. It was our second visit and we were meeting our friends Sarah and Jon. The park kindly booked us on pitches as far apart as possible with ours being right next to the clubhouse. It is such a nice spot that we didn't mind too much as it isn't a rowdy place and our pitch was surrounded by hedges.

Lovely sunshine --- Gordon dressed as a VW owner!

The bluebird ---- Rachel and a friendly duck

Bluebird BBQ Night

On Saturday we took the boat from Bowness to Ambleside where the All England stone skimming championships were taking place. The day started off cloudy but cleared up in the afternoon. By this time the batteries on my camera had died.

Fallbarrow jetties from Windermere --- Sam strikes a pose

View of the Lake from Ambleside